“I didn’t think he had played well enough to deserve to play last week (against West Brom).

“It may be that this week he has to go back in because of the numbers, as much as anything.”

Sunderland clawed their way back against West Brom after switching to three at the back, with van Aanholt and Javier Manquillo as the wing-backs.

Injuries to Lamine Kone, who faces a late fitness test, and Jason Denayer will limit Moyes’ options to play a back three at the Bet635 Stadium, with Papy Djilobodji set to partner skipper John O’Shea in a back four if Kone misses out.

Moyes was keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the game.

Moyes added “You can only go with what you have got. It is something we will just have to wait and see on.”